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Best Nursing Homes in Cary, NC

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 4 nursing homes in Cary, NC using CMS data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank nursing homes in NC
Reviewed by
Jordan Weiss, PhD
Last updated
We analyzed These are the facilities in Cary, NC our team has analyzed — not a count of every nursing home provider in Cary, NC.
4 homes
Other senior care options in Cary:
Assisted Living Memory Care Independent Living

Compare Nursing Homes around Cary (Metro Area)

Info below is compiled from CMS reports & the NC Dept. of Health & Human Services (NCDHHS), senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.

Communities are listed from highest-ranked to lowest-ranked based on our methodology.

The facility name. Click to view the full profile page on Assisted Living Magazine, including photos, services, and contact info.
CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency that regulates nursing homes) Overall 5-star rating — a composite of Health Inspection, Staffing, and Quality Measures scores. 5 stars = top 10% nationally. 1 star = bottom 10%. The single most important number to start with when comparing facilities.
Care Types in This Table AL (Assisted Living): Housing with help for daily activities like bathing, dressing, and medication, without 24-hour skilled nursing. NH (Nursing Home): 24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs. SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility): Round-the-clock nursing care, often for recovery after surgery, injury, or illness. MC (Memory Care): Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. IL (Independent Living): Community living with dining, activities, and transportation for active seniors who need little personal care.
Neighborhood or city area where the facility is located. Proximity to family, hospitals, and green space matters for both quality of life and ease of visitation. Consider drive time and transit access when evaluating location.
Licensed bed capacity. Larger facilities (300+ beds) often have more specialized programs but can feel institutional. Smaller homes (under 150 beds) tend to deliver more personalized care. Compare with Avg Res/Day to understand how full the facility typically runs.
Percentage of licensed beds filled on an average day. Color indicates financial health: green (90%+) = operationally strong, typically profitable. Amber (80–89%) = stable but leaving revenue on the table. Orange (70–79%) = financial strain likely, may struggle with fixed costs. Red (<70%) = significant distress, closure or ownership change risk increases sharply.
This facility's occupancy rate compared to the statewide average for similar facilities. A positive number means above-average demand. Facilities running 5%+ above the state average are typically the most sought-after in their market — a strong proxy for reputation.
CMS-adjusted total nurse hours per resident per day (RN + LPN + CNA combined). The national average is approximately 3.5 hrs. Higher is better — more direct care time per resident. Below 3.0 is a red flag. CMS weights RN hours more heavily because RNs handle complex clinical decisions that CNAs cannot.
CMS Health Inspection star rating (1–5 stars), based on the 3 most recent annual state surveys plus any complaint investigations. This is the hardest rating to manipulate — it reflects real surveyor findings on-site. 5 stars = fewest deficiencies found. 1 star = most. It carries the heaviest weight in the Overall CMS rating.
CMS Staffing star rating (1–5 stars), based on daily nurse staffing hours submitted to CMS via verified payroll data. Compares RN, LPN, and CNA coverage relative to resident acuity level. 5 stars = well above expected staffing. Weekend staffing is evaluated separately, as that's where many facilities quietly reduce coverage.
CMS Quality Measures star rating (1–5 stars), based on 15 clinical outcome metrics including fall rates, pressure ulcers, antipsychotic drug use, and hospital readmissions. Captures actual resident health outcomes, not just compliance. High QM combined with low Health Inspection scores can indicate a facility with strong care but weak documentation practices.
Registered Nurse hours per resident/day compared to the statewide average. RNs are the highest-skilled nursing staff — they assess residents, manage medications, and respond to emergencies. A value of +50% means RN coverage is 50% above the state norm. Negative values are a concern for residents with complex or acute medical needs.
Total nursing staff hours (RN + LPN + CNA combined) per resident/day vs. the statewide average. A broader measure than RN vs State — it captures the entire care team. A facility can have high total staffing but low RN hours, meaning more aides and fewer nurses. Read both columns together for the full picture.
Total dollar amount of federal monetary fines (civil money penalties) issued by CMS in the past 3 years. Fines are only levied for serious violations — typically actual harm to residents, repeated uncorrected deficiencies, or systemic non-compliance. Even a single fine is noteworthy. Multiple fines strongly suggest a pattern, not isolated incidents.
Total health deficiency citations from the most recent standard inspection cycle. Minor citations (scope A–C) are common and often administrative in nature. Higher counts aren't always disqualifying, but should be read alongside Severe Citations to understand actual harm levels. Under 10 is strong for a large facility; 30+ warrants a closer look.
Average deficiency citations per CMS inspection (survey) in the reporting window — total citations divided by the number of inspections. Lower is better; compare alongside total Citations and Severe Citations for context.
Citations at CMS scope/severity level G or higher — G–I means actual harm occurred; J–L means residents were placed in immediate jeopardy. (D–F is potential for harm only). Examples include unaddressed falls, medication errors causing injury, neglect, or abuse.
Average number of residents in the building on any given day, derived from annual census data. Reflects true operating scale — a 400-bed facility running 200 residents/day operates very differently from one at 390. Higher resident counts generally mean more funded staffing hours.
Better Business Bureau rating (A+ to F). Reflects complaint history, business transparency, and how family disputes were resolved. A+ means no significant unresolved complaints. A blank (—) means the facility isn't BBB-accredited, which is common for healthcare providers and not necessarily a negative signal.
Walk Score® (0–100). Measures walkability of the surrounding area. 90–100 = Walker's Paradise. 70–89 = Very Walkable. 50–69 = Somewhat Walkable. Below 50 = Car-Dependent. Higher scores benefit family visitors, resident outings, and staff commuting.
The licensed owner or operator of record filed with CMS — the individual or organization legally accountable for the facility. Searching the operator name across other facilities can reveal chain or multi-site ownership, which matters: chain-operated homes tend to have more variable quality outcomes than independently run facilities.
What the home actually collects for resident care, after contractual allowances, bad debt and discounts — not gross billings. Taken from the latest complete annual cost report, so it is comparable across homes reporting the same period. Revenue alone doesn't indicate care quality, but it funds staffing and capital reinvestment. Pair with Payroll %. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Staff salaries plus wage-related benefits from the latest complete annual cost report. Contract and agency labour is counted separately, under other operating costs, so a home leaning on agency staff can show a low figure here. Payroll is the cost most directly tied to care quality — compare with Payroll % for full context. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Payroll as a share of NET PATIENT REVENUE (not gross revenue). Both figures come from the same cost-report year. A higher figure means more of each revenue dollar goes to staff pay. Read with the Staffing star rating to judge whether spend translates into coverage — and note that homes whose patient revenue covers only part of their operation can read implausibly high. The North Carolina average is: 58.6% Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
CMS Certification Number: the unique federal identifier for this skilled nursing provider.
Glenaire ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
NH
AL
IL
Cary
71
Facility 71
NC AVG 92
Rank #49 / 80
91.7%
Facility 91.7%
NC AVG 81.3%
Rank #17 / 72
+13%
9.14
Facility 9.14
NC AVG 3.98
Rank #5 / 83
 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ -24%+130%
$0
Facility $0
NC AVG $74.6k
Rank #1 / 89
4
Facility 4
NC AVG 20.9
Rank #14 / 83
4.0
Facility 4.0
NC AVG 5.0
Rank #43 / 83
-65A+
25
Facility 25
NC AVG 33
Rank #64 / 112
Presbyterian Homes, Inc
$13.0MFiscal year ending 09/2023
Facility $13.0MFiscal year ending 09/2023
NC AVG $15.7M
Rank #37 / 84
$14.5MFiscal year ending 09/2023
Facility $14.5MFiscal year ending 09/2023
NC AVG $8.2M
Rank #13 / 84
111.2%Fiscal year ending 09/2023
Facility 111.2%Fiscal year ending 09/2023
NC AVG 58.6%
Rank #10 / 84
345445
Swift Creek Health Center ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
NH
AL
MC
SNF
Cary (Ponderosa)
3
Facility 3
NC AVG 92
Rank #79 / 80
86.7%
Facility 86.7%
NC AVG 81.3%
Rank #34 / 72
+7%- ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ - ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ --
$0
Facility $0
NC AVG $74.6k
Rank #1 / 89
---3-
42
Facility 42
NC AVG 33
Rank #36 / 112
Cary Senior Housing I Jv Opco LLC
$22.2MFiscal year ending 09/2023
Facility $22.2MFiscal year ending 09/2023
NC AVG $15.7M
Rank #13 / 84
$14.6MFiscal year ending 09/2023
Facility $14.6MFiscal year ending 09/2023
NC AVG $8.2M
Rank #12 / 84
65.7%Fiscal year ending 09/2023
Facility 65.7%Fiscal year ending 09/2023
NC AVG 58.6%
Rank #13 / 84
345577

Rank badges are statewide and care-type specific: each nursing home is ranked against every other NC nursing home we track that reports that metric, not just the 4 analyzed for Cary. See how we rank facilities

Nursing Home Explorer

Glenaire

4000 Glenaire Cir, Cary, NC 27511
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Exterior view of Glenaire, a senior living facility
Overview of Glenaire
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Glenaire, located in Cary, NC, is a continuing care retirement community by Brightspire that offers long term care to their residents. This senior living community provides their residents smoke-free accommodations that feature 24 hour emergency response systems, with weekly housekeeping and linen services. They also offer basic healthcare services in their clinic staffed by a nurse practitioner.

Additionally, they offer a rich array of amenities that provides residences with both convenience, comfort, and entertainment. From their walking trails, to their aquatic center, to the fitness studio, to their auditorium wit theater equipment.

Phone: (919) 460-8095

Contact Glenaire

Swift Creek Health Center

221 Brightmore Dr, Cary, NC 27518
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Swift Creek Health Center
Overview of Swift Creek Health Center

Swift Creek Health Center, located in Cary, NC, is the healthcare arm of Templeton of Cary, providing assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing services to their residents. This healthcare facility offers skilled nursing services as well as rehabilitation services provided by their RNs, LPNs, and CNAs, under the supervision of a medical doctor who also serves as the medical director.
As part of Templeton of Cary, the residents of Swift Creek Health Center also receive the same services that provide both comfort and convenience. This included concierge, weekly housekeeping and linen service, peal preparation and delivery, and scheduled transportation among other things.

Phone: (984) 465-4088

Contact Swift Creek Health Center

Searstone Retirement Community

17001 Searstone Dr, Cary, NC 27513
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Exterior view of Searstone Retirement Community on a sunny day
Overview of Searstone Retirement Community
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Searstone Retirement Community, located in Cary, NC, is a senior living community offering a range of services from assisted living, memory support and skilled nursing services. Their professional caring staff works closely with the residents as well as their families, in creating individualized care plans, in order to determine and meet the residents’ specific care needs.

Their First class skilled nursing services provides residents with 24/7 staff availability for supervision and assistance, round the clock personalized care, medication administration and management, and access to medical care on site as well as other professional services. Additionally their amenities like concierge and transportation services, meal provision and housekeeping and linen service, as well as 24/hr security and emergency call response, enhances the residents experiences during their stay at Searstone.

Phone: (919) 234-0339

Contact Searstone Retirement Community

The Templeton of Cary

215 Brightmore Dr, Cary, NC 27518
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Elegant exterior view of The Templeton of Cary at dusk
Overview of The Templeton of Cary
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The Templeton of Cary is a top-rated retirement community in Cary, NC, offering independent living, assisted living, memory care, rehabilitation, and skilled nursing. The community’s nurturing and home-like setting ensures older adults’ comfort and safety. Exceptional services, including weekly housekeeping, concierge, and well-balanced meals, are also provided to enrich residents’ living experiences. Focusing on residents’ holistic well-being, the community provides care plans tailored to their ever-changing needs and habits.

Arts and crafts, games, and seminars are among the many recreational programs that aim to help residents explore new hobbies and have fun. Residents can also focus on relaxation and wellness, with first-class amenities including a saltwater pool, a library, and an outdoor grassy area. WakeMed Cary Hospital, restaurants, shops, and bus stops are also available in the area, providing convenient access to healthcare and other necessities. This retirement community is a great choice for senior living in North Carolina, especially with its wide range of care dedicated to helping older adults age gracefully.

Phone: (984) 230-0080

Contact The Templeton of Cary

Ranking Methodology

How we rank these nursing homes

Every nursing home above is evaluated across five weighted categories using CMS data including Care Compare, Payroll-Based Journal, and Medicare Cost Reports. Rank badges compare each home against other nursing homes in the same state — never against assisted living, memory care, or independent living communities.

  • CMS data
  • 5 weighted categories
  • Updated quarterly
Full methodology

Weighting overview

  • 35%
    Care Quality
  • 20%
    Staffing
  • 20%
    Regulatory
  • 20%
    Operational
  • 5%
    Environment
01

Care Quality 35%

The largest single share of every ranking. CMS star ratings and quality measures that reflect actual care delivered to residents.

  • Includes
  • Overall Rating
  • Health Inspection
  • QM Rating
  • Long-Stay QM
  • Short-Stay QM
02

Staffing Adequacy 20%

The strongest predictor of resident outcomes. Volume and stability of nursing care, drawn from CMS Payroll-Based Journal.

  • Includes
  • Nurse Hrs/Res/Day
  • RN vs State
  • Total Nurse Staff Hrs vs State
  • RN Turnover
03

Regulatory & Safety Record 20%

Inspection patterns that star ratings can mask. We weight per-inspection rates more heavily than raw counts.

  • Includes
  • Citations
  • Citations/Inspection
  • Severe Citations
  • Fines
  • Accreditations
04

Operational & Financial Stability 20%

Stable operations and sound finances are leading indicators of consistent care over time.

  • Includes
  • Occupancy vs State
  • Avg Length of Stay
  • Revenue
  • Payroll %
  • Years in Operation
  • Admin Tenure
05

Environment & Accessibility 5%

Context that matters to families but doesn't directly measure clinical care. Weighted lower for nursing homes than for assisted or independent living.

  • Includes
  • Walk Score
  • BBB Rating
Full methodology →
No paid rankings Facilities cannot pay to influence placement.
Data source Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
How we're paid: If we help you find a home and you move in, that home may pay us a referral fee. This never affects where they rank or what you pay. Learn more
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Nursing Homes in Cary at a glance

Avg Overall CMS Rating: 4.0/ 5The average Overall CMS Rating for all CMS-certified nursing homes in Cary, NC. Ratings combine health inspections, staffing, and quality measures, with inspections weighted most. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 3.2/ 5
Avg Staffing Rating: 5.0/ 5The average Staffing Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in Cary, NC. Reflects nursing staff hours per resident per day (including RNs), adjusted for residents' care needs. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 3.4/ 5
Avg Health Insp. Rating: 4.0/ 5The average Health Inspection Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in Cary, NC. Based on each facility's recent inspections and complaint investigations, weighing the number, scope, and severity of deficiencies. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 3.0/ 5

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Frequently Asked Questions about Nursing Homes in Cary, NC

What's the difference between assisted living and a nursing home in North Carolina?

Assisted living in North Carolina is a residential model focused on housing, hospitality, and help with daily activities. Nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses for residents with significant health needs, and are regulated more strictly under both state and federal CMS rules.

Does North Carolina Medicaid cover nursing home care?

Yes — North Carolina Medicaid covers nursing home care for residents who meet income, asset, and medical-need eligibility requirements. Most CMS-certified nursing homes accept Medicaid as a primary payer once long-term-care eligibility is established.

What is nursing home care?

Nursing homes (also called skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses, rehabilitation services, and long-term custodial care for residents with significant health or functional needs.

How many nursing homes are listed on this page?

This page features 4 nursing homes in Cary, NC. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.

How do I choose the right nursing home in Cary, NC?

Start by matching the level of care offered to the resident's current and anticipated needs, then compare licensing status, staff-to-resident ratios, recent inspection results, and pricing. Tour at least two or three communities in Cary, NC, talk to current residents and families, and confirm what is included in the base rate versus billed as add-on services.

What should I look for when visiting nursing homes in Cary, NC?

Pay attention to staff interactions with residents, cleanliness and odor, food quality at meal times, the activity calendar, and how questions about pricing and care plans are answered. Ask to see the most recent state inspection report, the move-out / level-of-care-change policy, and a sample monthly bill that lists every fee.

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